From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Meghalaya Minister for Water Resources AL Hek on Wednesday raised a high pitched alarm against recurring floods in Garo Hills area of the State while demanding for scientific management of water ‘which is both scarce and plenty’ in the hill state.
Over one lakh people have been affected after Brahmaputra and Jingiram rivers submerged over 100 villages in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya this week. The worst-affected areas are Phulbari, Rajabala, Bhaitbari, Paham.
“Both the hill and plain areas of the states bordering Assam and Bangladesh have been affected with flash floods which has caused severe damage to life and property,” Hek said at a conference of the state irrigation ministers here. The Water Resource Minister also sought adequate Central assistance and permanent solution to the flood problem in Meghalaya.
“The State has initiated a plan to control floods in Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers,” he informed.
It may be mentioned that for the first time the entire plain belt area from Hallidaganj to Nidanpur along the Jingiram river was completely submerged.
“The areas of maximum impact are Bhaitbari and surrounding areas including Morasuti, Phershakandi, Anderkata and some villages in Rajabala”, Hek said adding that 14 relief camps were set up in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills and the authorities have requisitioned boats for rescuing people.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala said water is a scarce natural resource, fundamental to life, food security, livelihood and equitable and sustainable development. “India has to support 18 per cent of the world’s population with just 4 per cent of the world’s fresh water resources. Our water resources are characterized by the large temporal and spatial variations which necessitate a transparent water information system”, Pala pointed out.